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A Lib Dem-sponsored Bill which would introduce sweeping new exemptions to the so-called "bedroom tax" has cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons despite opposition from Conservative MPs.

The Bill would introduce exemptions to the so-called "bedroom tax". Credit: Peter Byrne/PA

A second reading of Andrew George's Affordable Homes Bill will now happen after Labour helped the Bill gain a majority of 75 after a 306 to 231 vote.

Mr George said he had moved "moderate" measures to exclude social housing tenants from the policy until they receive a "reasonable offer" of alternative accommodation with the "correct number of bedrooms".

An exemption would also be given if a tenant needs an extra room for "genuine medical reasons" or if the property has undergone "substantial" adaptations to help them live there, the Lib Dem MP said.

A review of the Government's efforts to provide affordable housing would also be encouraged if the proposals come into law.

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Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has defended the Liberal Democrats following their dramatic shift on the so-called 'Bedroom Tax'.

Alexander said the Lib Dems put forward ideas for changing the controversial welfare policy last September and "people shouldn't be surprised it is something the Liberal Democrats have been thinking about".

Nick Clegg has said there needs to be 'fair reform' after the Liberal Democrats performed a dramatic U-turn on the so-called 'bedroom tax'.

The leader of the party said they have been advocating changes "for some time" and an official report from the Government confirmed "the change in subsidies for bedrooms is just simply not working as it was intended."

A senior Liberal Democrat defended the party's decision to U-turn on the so-called bedroom tax, as the "evidence clearly shows" the policy is not working.

Tessa Munt told Good Morning Britain there was "no point in bashing your head against a brick wall if something is not working" and that the Government needed to change direction in order to get people into the right housing.

Lib Dem Care Minister Norman Lamb has said the evidence was "clear" that the controversial "spare-room" policy was not working.

He told BBC2's Newsnight that in his North Norfolk constituency he came across "many cases" where people may be willing to move, but the state of the housing market and the shortage of social housing just makes it impossible.

"So they are stuck in a situation," he said.

"It was also wrong for disabled people who needed an extra room for a carer to use or to be adapted in some way to be hit".

The deputy chief executive, at deafblind charity Sense has welcomed the Liberal Democrats' "change of heart" over the bedroom tax issue:

Mr Richard Kramer said:

It is now time for the rest of government to reconsider this disastrous policy. This policy has unfairly targeted disabled people, causing them undue hardship and risks marginalising them from society.

This tax has had a disproportionate impact on disabled people as many have been found to have a so called 'extra room' despite requiring it because of their disability.Alongside other benefits being cut, housing benefit has been the final blow for many disabled people and can lead to rent arrears and serious financial pressures.